Late Aussie win may be the end for Gregan

AUSTRALIA skipper George Gregan’s international future is likely to come under renewed scrutiny after the Wallabies’ laboured 20-18 win over South Africa in the Tri-Nations.

Australia, who crushed the Springboks 49-0 in Brisbane just three weeks ago, needed a late try from replacement Mat Rogers and a sideline conversion from vice captain Stirling Mortlock to regain the Nelson Mandela Plate on Saturday.

The Australian media, which has been heavily critical of Gregan’s performances in the past few seasons, launched another scathing attack on the team and called for mass changes.

The Sunday Telegraph said it was the worst display by an Australian team in 10 years while the Sun-Herald said Gregan was under mounting pressure to hold his place ahead of reserve scrumhalf Sam Cordingley.

“The Wallabies got the points, but that does not mask the fact that they were terrible,” lamented the Sun-Herald.

“(Coach) John Connolly must now make numerous major changes if this team are to get anywhere near the All Blacks in Auckland in a fortnight’s time. Gregan’s spot is now under enormous pressure.”

Connolly agreed his team had played poorly, struggling to match their bigger opponents in the scrum and lineout, and squandering possession with fundamental errors and aimless kicking.

“I don’t think it’ll be one of those tests you’ll remember forever,” he told a news conference.

“It wasn’t a great game and we’re really disappointed with the way we played at times but we’re delighted to come away with the win.”

Gregan, now in his 13th season of international rugby but arguably well past his best, broke John Eales’s Australian record of 55 tests as captain, but it was a performance the scrumhalf would rather forget.

He spilt a pass from number eight Wycliff Palu that led to the first South African try and was replaced by Cordingley in the final 10 minutes.

Cordingley’s introduction was an instant success as he cleverly scooped up a loose ball from the back of a scrum that put Phil Waugh through a hole and led to Rogers’s try.

Connolly said he was impressed by Cordingley’s performance but gave no clues about the starting lineup for the Wallabies’ next match.

Australia have already lost twice to the All Blacks this season, including last week’s narrow 13-9 defeat in Brisbane, but need to win in New Zealand to keep the championship alive with the South African leg still to be played.

“I guess we’re still in it but the game in Auckland in two weeks is incredibly important for us,” Connolly said.

“The encouraging thing for us is that we know we’re close to them ... but we have to play better.”